Ordered
from Messrs. Beyer, Peacock & Co., Ltd., during 1914 and delivered
after the Great War in 1919 were three 2’ gauge NG/G11 articulated
Garratt steam locomotives, numbered 51, 52 and 53 respectively.

They
were erected at the Uitenhage workshops and, after trials in May 1920 on
the Avontuur line, two were placed in service on the Stuartstown ( Ixopo)
branch line in Natal.

Sir
William Hoy, General Manager, South African Railways & Harbours, in
his report for 1921-22, recorded : “ The narrow gauge Garratt engines,
placed in service on the Stuartstown branch, are most economical and have
reduced train mileage and trainsmen’s hours. Their introduction has also
effected a saving of one engine and train crew.”

A
further order was placed for two similar locomotives, No’s 54 and 55,
which were supplied by Messrs. Beyer, Peacock & Co. These engines were
fitted with superheater boilers and piston valves.

They
were erected in the Durban workshops during April, 1925. The total weight
of the engine in full working order was 48 tons 4 ¾ cwts.”

The
locomotives were used mostly in Natal on the various branch lines.

NG/G
55 remained plinthed at Weenen, after the Estcourt to Weenen line’s
closure, and is at present at the local recreation club grounds.

It
is intended that this locomotive will be restored to working order at
Umgeni Steam Railway’s Masons Mill locomotive depot.

It
will thereafter be placed in service on the preserved Ixopo to Madonela
branchline being operated by Paton’s Country Narrow Gauge Railway.

BACKGROUND
INFORMATION.

“
In cases where locomotives of exceptional tractive force are required and
particularly where the track, bridges and curvatures do not allow
development of existing designs due to axle-load limitations, the number
ofcoupled wheels required
demands articulated types.

The
Garratt locomotive has two sets of frames and wheel arrangements with one
boiler. In this way the number of coupled wheels can be doubled and
correspondingly high tractive effort developed.

The
boiler is carried in a cradle suspended on pivot centers attached to the
frames each of which is free to align itself to track curvature.

The
use of these locomotives enables the capacity of a line to be
approximately doubled without strengthening the track, bridges and
culverts, or improving the curvature.

The
Garratt runs equally well in either direction.”

Cylinder
Bore x Stroke.10 ¾ “ x 16”

Driving
Wheel Diameter.2’ 6”

Boiler
Pressurelb/sq. in.180

Tubes,
1 ¾ in. diam.(*)211

Boiler
internal diameter. (*)4’ 2”

Tractive
Effort. (75%) B.P.15876

Engine
Weight (Working Order)48t 4c

Total
Length over Couplers.45’ 5”

Grate
Area sq. ft.19.5

Max.
Axle Load.6t 11c

Front
Tank Capacity.(*)970 gallons.

Hind
Tank Capacity.(*)380 gallons.

2 ½ tons of coal.

(*)
Data relates to 51, 52 & 53.

REFERENCES.

The
Locomotive in South AfricaT. J. Espitalier & W. A. J. Day.

Locomotives
of the South African Railways.Leith Paxton & David Bourne.